I Will Build My Church - Part 1
Rev. Raymond Woodward
Matthew 16:18-19 (KJV) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
This is the first distinct mention of the church in the New Testament, given by Jesus who is the Builder of the Church. We do not build the church on our own; we simply cooperate with the Master Builder!
THE CHURCH IS NOT A MATERIAL BUILDING
The word is never used in Scripture to refer to a material building (140 times in NT). The language used of the Church could not be applied to a building. ("The Lord added to the church. Herod vexed the church. The church was persecuted. Paul saluted the church. The churches had rest.") Only in the traditions of men can people "go to church."
THE CHURCH IS NOT A DENOMINATION
Denominationalism is contrary to Scripture, evidence of carnality and divisions. Denominations are usually formed around a form of church government, a doctrinal emphasis or truth, a personality that God used in some revival, or an experience. The tragedy is that each revival of truth finds its bitterest enemies in the previous group that had light from heaven, but stopped somewhere along the way! History repeats itself in each generation. The only thing we learn from history is that we never learn from history! We must constantly guard against the degenerating cycle of Message - Man - Movement - Monument. Notice that Jesus does not say He will build His CHURCHES, but His CHURCH. There is only one church - and its message has never changed!
THE CHURCH IS NOT "PLAN B" IN THE MIND OF GOD
The church was not merely instituted after the Jewish rejection of Christ, but rather was prophesied through the entire Old Testament.
All nations were to be blessed by the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18)
All the families of the earth were to be blessed by Abraham's seed (Genesis 26:4)
All kindreds of the nations would worship the Lord (Psalms 22:27-28)
In the last days all nations would flow to the house of God (Isaiah 2:2-3)
The Gentiles would seek the Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:10)
Many nations would be sprinkled with the blood of the Messiah (Isaiah 52:15)
Many nations would be joined to the Lord in that day (Zechariah 2:11)
The Name of the Lord would be great among the Gentiles (Malachi 1:11)
In His Name the Gentiles would trust (Matthew 12:21)
THE CHURCH IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The kingdom of God is much larger than the church, because it includes more than the church - the whole universe, all the angelic hosts, and all the Old Testament saints. However, the New Testament church is the CENTERPIECE of God's Kingdom and its most important part. If you live between the Day of Pentecost and the Rapture, YOU MUST BE IN THE CHURCH TO BE SAVED! Jesus said the prophets who gave these prophecies - and even the angels - would love to participate in the things happening in our age.
Matthew 13:16-17 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Moses would love to have seen the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5-9)
Isaiah would love to have seen Pentecost (Isaiah 28:10-12)
Joel would love to have been in the Upper Room (Acts 1-2)
THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY THING GOD EVER HAD TO BUY
God created everything else, but the church cost Him dearly! We are privileged beyond measure to be part of the Church of the Living God!
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood
THE CHURCH IS THE ONLY THING THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN
Individual saints and local assemblies may have problems, but the church is as solid as the rock of revelation it is built upon.
The earth is to be shaken (Isaiah 2:19-21)
The nation of Israel is to be shaken (Ezekiel 38:19-20)
The heavens and the nations are to be shaken (Haggai 2:6-7)
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken (Hebrews 12:26-29
But the church cannot be shaken! The gates of hell cannot prevail against it, because JESUS IS BUILDING HIS CHURCH!
Matthew 16:18-19 (AMP) And I tell you, you are Peter [Petros, masculine, a large piece of rock], and on this rock [petra, feminine, a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it - or be strong to its detriment, or hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind - that is, declare to be improper and unlawful - on earth must be already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth - declare lawful - must be what is already loosed in heaven.
Notice two principles in this passage
First, the church is built on a MESSAGE, not a MAN. Men come and go, succeed and fail, but the true revelation of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the church ("thou art the Christ" - Matthew 16:16).
Second, we must build the church according to God's BLUEPRINT if we want to have His BLESSING. The words "bind" and "loose" are perfect passive participles in the Greek language, indicating things that have already been forbidden or permitted. We can't just do whatever we want and expect God to bless it; we must do what He wants, and the blessing will come automatically.
If a contractor builds a house for someone, he sticks to the blueprint, which is the will of the purchaser. If we want to build a church, we need to stick to the blueprint (Bible), which is the will of the purchaser (God). Otherwise, we are not really building a church!
THAT IS THE REASON FOR THIS SERIES. We need to discover God's blueprint for building His church!
PRINCIPLE #1: DO AND TEACH (Acts 1:1)
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Jesus' ministry was all about DOING and TEACHING. The one refers to His miracle-working power, while the other refers to His doctrine. Jesus did not work miracles just for miracles' sake, but He used them to teach doctrine (i.e. healed blind man and taught "I am the light of the world," fed 5000 and taught "I am the bread of life"). He also did not teach just for teaching's sake, but "he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:29)
DOING without TEACHING is wrong! It is wrong to have "spirit" without "truth" because that leads to APOSTASY. It is obedience to doctrine that saves us, not just a "move of the Spirit." It is not your FEELING but your OBEDIENCE that makes you a Christian.
1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
But TEACHING without DOING is also wrong! It is wrong to have "truth" without "spirit" because that leads to APATHY. God holds us responsible for what we DO with what we KNOW. Talking about revival doesn't bring revival - revival is spelled W-O-R-K!
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
OUR CHURCH MUST BOTH DO AND TEACH IF WE WANT TO BE BLESSED BY GOD!
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
PRINCIPLE #2: WITNESS AND WAIT (Acts 1:7-8)
Acts 1:7-8 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
God has two words for time: CHRONOS, which means "time governed by the clock" (QUANTITY time) and KAIROS, which means "time measured by special moments" (QUALITY TIME).
The key is that you have to take advantage of KAIROS time at the moment it happens, or you lose it forever.
Luke 19:44 (NKJV) 41Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation."
Acts 24:25 (NKJV) Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NKJV) 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
When the disciples asked when Jesus was going to "restore the kingdom" (send revival), He told them that it was not for them to distinguish between the "times" (CHRONOS) and the "seasons" (KAIROS), because only God controls times of supernatural visitation!
Only God has power (EXOUSIA = AUTHORITY) over the results of our prayer, our worship, and our work. But He has given us power (DUNAMIS = ABILITY) to be witnesses.
The key to revival is for the church to exercise its ABILITY until God exercises His AUTHORITY.
We must WITNESS and WAIT!
PRINCIPLE #3: RISE ABOVE AND GO BEYOND (Acts 1:25)
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Sometimes we mistakenly think that the early church was somehow more "spiritual" than we are today. But the book of Acts tells us plainly that they had problems and setbacks too.
Outside of the crucifixion of Jesus, probably no other situation was harder for the disciples to deal with than the fall of Judas. He had been ordained to be an Apostle, ordained to preach the Gospel, and given power over devils and disease. And yet he backslid and betrayed the Lord into the hands of the Sanhedrin. What a setback for the church!
But we do not see the disciples giving up or getting discouraged! Instead, they resolutely rise above their heartache and move beyond a terrible trial to embrace their future in God.
With God, FAILURE IS NEVER FATAL! God never wastes a hurt!
Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
Let's rise above our past, our problems and our perplexities, and go beyond to a place that we have never been before!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
An Old Tree
This story is a beautiful analogy for our own lives.
Once upon a time there was a leafy tree in a field. Leaves grew densely on the tall branches. The roots were deeply into the ground. The tree was the most remarkable among the rest.
The tree then became the home for some birds. They built their nests and they lived on his branches. The birds made holes on him, and they hatched their eggs within the greatness of the tree. The tree felt so delighted because he was accompanied as he walked through his long lasting days.
People were grateful for the presence of the tree. They often came over and sheltered under him. Under his branches, they sat down and opened their picnic baskets. "This tree is very useful," that's what the people said every time they went home from shelter. The tree was very proud hearing those compliments.
However, time went on. The tree was beginning to be sick. His leaves and twigs were falling, then his body became thin and pale. The greatness he used to have was fading away. Birds felt reluctant to build their nests there. No one would come to sit under the tree to shelter anymore.
The tree wept, "Oh God, why is it so hard for me? I need friends. Now no one would come close to me. Why do you take all the glory I used to have?" The tree cried loudly, so it echoed throughout the forest. "Why wouldn't you cut me down, so I don't have to bear this suffering?" The tree kept on crying, and his tears were running down his dry body.
Seasons came and went, but his condition had not changed. The tree was still feeling lonely. His branches became drier and drier. Every night the tree wept and cried, until the morning broke.
"Cheep...chirp....cheep" Ah, what was that noise? Oh, it's a little baby bird who has just pipped from the egg. The old tree woke up from his daydream.
"Cheep...chirp...cheep", the noise became louder and louder. There was another baby bird. Not long after that, the tree became noisy because of the birth of new baby birds. One...two...three...and four baby birds have been born to this world. "Ah, He has answered my prayers," exclaimed the old tree.
The day after, there were many birds flying to the old tree. They were going to build new nests. The dry branches have turned out to attract their attention to nest there. The birds felt warmer to stay inside the dry branches instead of their place before. The number of birds was increasing and there were more kinds of them. "Wow, now my days are brighter with their presence here", murmured the old tree gladly.
The old tree was back to cheer again. And when he looked down, his heart was flowing with joy. There was a new little tree growing near his roots. The new tree seemed to smile at him. The tears of the old tree has grown a little tree who would continue his devotion to nature.
That's the way it is. Is there any lesson that we could take from the story? God always has secret plans for us. The Almighty God will always gives answers to our questions. Even though it is not always easy to guess what the resolution is, be certain that the Omniscient God knows what's best for us.
When there are times He sends temptation for us, in other times He gives us His overflowing blessings. The test He gives us isn't something that can't be overcome. When God gave the temptation to the old tree, actually He DELAYED in giving His glory. God didn't choose to cut the old tree down since He kept some secrets. God was testing his patience.
So, be sure, whatever temptation we are facing is a part of the chain of glory He is preparing for us. Don't give up, and don't be discouraged. God is always there beside patient people.
Grace Multiplied
Lindsey spread out on her dorm room bed stressed by the closeness of finals and the lack of funds she needed to get through the week.
Lindsey needed a break from her studies, so she hopped up and checked her purse to see how much money she had left to spend on food.
Four dollars and fifty-eight cents did not sound like a lot of money considering there were three days left before she got paid.
Lindsey devised a plan to budget the money and opted for a trip to the corner market for a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter.
Grabbing her coat, Lindsey headed out the door and down the stairs hoping she did not pass anyone she knew along the way.
She arrived at Al's Market just before closing, checked the prices to make sure she had enough money, and headed to the counter with her purchase.
To save a few steps in the biting wind, Lindsey decided to leave by the back door instead of the front.
As Lindsey stepped into the alley, she jumped as a nearby noise frightened her.
"Oh, don't be alarmed, Miss. Howie and I were just looking through the garbage cans trying to find something to eat. We won't hurt you."
Lindsey turned to see a couple of elderly men in raggedy clothes, and the one who spoke to her tipped his soiled hat and smiled as he spoke.
Lindsey looked at the two men and then at her sack.
"I just realized I don't need this. Could you two gentlemen use a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter?"
"Could we? Are you sure you don't need it, Miss?"
"Oh, positive. I just realized I already have some at home. Here, take it, and let me see if Al has a knife you can use."
"Why that is very kind of you, Miss. God bless you."
Lindsey retreated into the store, secured an old knife from Al, and returned and handed it to the homeless man who spoke to her.
"Here you are. Well, I must be on my way now."
"Thanks again, Miss. You are much too kind."
Lindsey headed out of the alley and back to the dorm, more full in the heart than empty in the stomach, and not yet thinking of how she would survive the week.
"Excuse me, Miss, but I think you dropped this," said another elderly man as he handed her an envelope.
"Oh, no this isn't mine," Lindsey replied, as she turned to return the envelope to the elderly gentleman, but he was nowhere in sight.
"Where could he have gone?" Lindsey wondered.
Lindsey opened the envelope and found a note inside.
"For as much as you have done unto the least of these, you have done unto me."
Inside the note Lindsey found two one hundred dollar bills upon which she deposited a few tears.
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| Finding You - 2 |
| Proverbs 11:28 - 'He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.' |
Don't cheat yourself! No matter what a person tells you, when you chase money, you run from God. Riches are good if they are earned or given by God, but do not seek fast money and wealth. You totally take God out of the picture. I'm not preaching against the sideline jobs, or paramid schemes like Amway and such, but I am saying that we should consult God about fast money schemes and things of that sort before we try to hit up all our friends, family, and sinners that need to hear the gospel instead of our sales pitch. We want to be witnesses to the blessings of God and not money chasers. I know Pastors that get their whole congregations involved in money making schemes and sales pitches. Where is God in this? Should we use our network of saints to push our monetary agenda? No! Allow God to focus you, to lead you, and to teach you how to prosper his way. 2, 3 or even 4 jobs can wear you out and cause you to be so engulfed in work that you have no time for the purpose that God has for you. But when you tap into who you are in Christ and the gift he has given you to prosper with, you can prosper according to the plan he has for you.
Money should be chasing you down and not you chasing it down! All you have to do is work a job, and be a faithful giver in your everyday life, and God will prosper you. God will cause you to prosper in due season, but you must find out how he wants you to prosper instead of jumping into every money making hustle that comes along. Getting in all these money schemes will only cause you to become a slave to them and your true purpose will be forgotten. Also, we must remember that this world is not our home, so we should be storing up treasure in heaven and not here on earth. Don't get me wrong, money is good to have, but it should never "have us!" Find out what God's plans are for you and your money, and he will direct you accordingly.
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| Finding You |
| 1 Peter 5:8 - 'Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:' |
The devil has a campaign against you going on at all times. His objective: To stop you from hearing what God is saying about you. God has spoken a word over your life, but the cares of this life, past experiences, and negative influences will block you from hearing it. You must get into position to hear what God has said about you. The enemy seems to already know because he is usually attacking the very place in your life that God is wanting to use. You must find that word. You must hear what God has said and act on it. You must align yourself with the plan of God for you. The word has already been spoken, and now it needs to be activated! But you must know what it is before you can align yourself with it. That struggle for freedom, that struggle for acceptance, that struggle for fulfillment is your unconscious plight to get that word. But you must know first that God has the word and you need to get closer to him to hear it so you can activate it in your life.
It's not hard to hear God. The hard part is deleting the other voices in your life so that you can hear him clearly. The television, the radio, the soaps, the movies, the boyfriend/girlfriend, the newspaper columns, the stories, the novels, the friends, the family, etc. are all voices! Many times we surround ourselves with people, places, and things before we have learned to hear from God and that is dangerous. You could have people in your life blocking you or voices in your life detouring you. Take some time to find yourself! Not by searching inside of you, but by seeking the will of God for your life. Get away from everyone and everything for a period and silence all other voices in your life. You will hear God speak to you and once you learn his voice, he will show you who you are and why he made you. He will show you why the enemy is against you and how you can walk in victory. Then, you will know who belongs in your life and who doesn't. At that point you will know what voices to keep in your life and which ones to silence. Take the time and do it! What in this world could be more important to find, than the Word God has spoken over your life?
Monday, February 13, 2012
MESSAGE TO CHRISTIAN RAPPERS!!!!
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A message to Christian Rappers by: G. Craige Lewis - aka The Messenger This message is from the Lord. It was given to me in response to the opposition we have received from the Christian rap community. We are not coming against Christian rap or any other form of Christian music. We support any music that supports the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. But we do not believe that the Hip Hop culture that exists today is to be glorified, praised, or utilized to reach any sinners or to change the hearts of unbelievers. The Hip Hop Culture in it's origin is demonic and it's foundation is set upon a doctrine that is contrary to the Word of God. Therefore, how can this culture be embraced by Christians? If it's creation was wicked, then it's roots are foul. And therefore, God will not use it to minister the Gospel (check out Zulu Nation.com to get info on the origin and spiritual side of the Hip Hop Culture. But beware, the spirit behind that website is strong and will spiritual damage your beliefs if you are not Spiritually strong) We know that a powerful message can be given through rap and we believe it can be very effective in teaching, strengthening and persuading people to Christ. But we cannot embrace the culture of Hip Hop along with the rap. The Hip Hop culture stands against the word of God. It's founders do not believe the Bible to be the true Word of God. Therefore, we must reject all claims to Hip Hop as believers because that culture does not promote the truth. Are we gonna rally to turn Hip Hop into a Christian culture? God forbid. If you read the word, you will find that God rejected what man offered to him whenever it was birthed from, or taken from a corrupt source. Achan in the Bible hid valuable jewels, thinking that they were good for him and his camp. Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. But God rejected Israel until Achan was burned to death. Why? Because God did not want what was used for evil to be offered up to him. The same thing happened to King Saul. King Saul took of the spoil of the Amalekites and desired to give it to God because it looked good. It was the best of the best. 1Sa 15:15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. But God rejected King Saul because he didn't want what the people that hated him and served other gods had. It was corrupt because it's origin was evil. God is feeling the same way about Hip Hop. We cannot support this corrupt culture because its very foundation is evil. Hip Hop was birthed through poverty, and sin. It was not created to uplight God. But it was created to be a voice for those that could not be heard. It was birthed through some guys who desired to rise above their environments and communities by empowering themselves. In turn, Hip Hop has brought much power to the black man. It has given them a voice, a way of life, and money. But what has is done to glorify the true Kingdom of God? Nothing. Christian rap artists, we cannot embrace this demonic move of the enemy to glorify ones self and promote a false religion. I know you want to stay true to your people and where you came from, but understand, that is not what God desires of you. You must change your mindset and understand that it takes the Spirit of God to reach the lost. Hip Hop has taken the place of the human spirit in our youth of today. Hip Hop gives them their identity, their values, the morals, and their callings. It does not give them what God wants to give them. And we cannot try to hold on to it once we have been transformed into the image of Christ. You see, staying true to your homies, or your people cannot be done if you plan to stay true to the Kingdom of God. Jesus said that if any man chooses to follow him, he must deny himself. Mt 16:24* Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. That means that we must let go of the mentality that kept us in the bondage that we were freed from. Simply put, let go of the culture! Lu 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Yeah, you may have grown up in it, killed for it, or put everything you had into it, but it's not of God, so you must forsake it. God destroyed millions of people that he chose to rescue from bondage, but they would not let go of the culture that they were once enslaved by. The original children of Israel were freed from slavery. But they would not let go of the Egyptian culture! Did God allow them to use the culture of the Egyptians to glorify him? NO. God killed them all to destroy all recollection of their former days. He forbid them to perform or mimic any of the Egyptians actions because he did not want them subject to the spirits of that culture. Joshua 5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. The same is happening with Hip Hop. Staying true to it makes you subject to the spirits of its creators. Allow God to continue to use you as a Christian rapper for Christ, but never conform to the Hip Hop Culture. When Christ saved you, you were changed into the image that he originally had for you. Therefore, the old man is dead. 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. You are no longer a Gangsta, or a thug, so why do you refer to yourself as one? How can you be dead with Christ if you are still promoting the old man's deeds? You are changed if you are in Christ. Ro 12:2* And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. It's okay to share your testimony of your transformation, but why would you pay homage to your old man and his culture? Throwing up gang signs, tattoo glorification, dressing and looking like a gang member does not disciple the lost. It only confuses the lost into believing that the change Christ made is only internal, but the flesh should still be in bondage. Another thing that God has been speaking to me about is the Christian rap movement and how some of it disses the Church of God. In my dealings with many Christian rappers or rap fans, I have seen a new spirit that is rising up through the enemy's influence. Dissing the Church is a very dangerous move to make. In your music or in your everyday conversations, we must not speak negatively about God's church. God is gonna operate through his church, no matter what we think or feel. Many have been hurt by negative experiences through churches, but that does not make the church of God a bad place. Yeah, the church has problems, but the easy way to keep the problems from being solved or dealt with is for us to only talk against each other and never work together. And God will NEVER change his order. You must submit to the authority of a Pastor before you will be effective in any ministry. A man that cannot follow, will never lead! There are so many people these days talking about what God is showing them, or what God is telling them, but they never follow the order of God. God will not tell you to do anything without confirming it through others. And God will never defy the order of his Kingdom or his church. That's why you see so many people constantly changing what they say was God's will for them. Without the protective covering of your pastor, you are dangerous to God. You are like a child holding a loaded shotgun. You are a spiritual bastard and your ministry will only give birth to bastard followers! I know that sounds harsh, but the word "bastard" means "fatherless" and if you have not submitted to your Pastor, you have no spiritual father! You are not ready to do ministry on any level if you have not submitted to leadership. The church is your home base for your ministry. So we cannot diss the church in our raps or in our conversations because God is gonna work through the church before he works through you. Growing up without a father or on the streets alone teaches us to rely on ourselves many times. We get to the point where we are our own covering. We begin to move according to our will instead of the will of God. And we feel that we are hearing God, but actually we don't understand God because following is something that we have never learned. That's why the church is so important to the Kingdom of God. It teaches us how to submit to authority when we never learned it in our upbringing. The spirit of Hip Hop teaches that we are all "gods" meaning that we choose our own destiny's and no one can lead us. But the Bible teaches that the order of God is more important than any sacrifices! Remember King Saul, when he offered the sacrifice in place of the priest? 1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. He defied the order of God and was rejected and doomed for it. We must understand that we are in the same position as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus. God is more concerned about 1 sinner being discipled the right way by us, than 1000 being discipled by us and we have no spiritual authority to do it! Can you imagine Jesus growing up knowing he is the Word of God and yet God hasn't released him to ministry? I imagine people where saying, "Jesus, you have all that ministry in you and you have not done anything for the Kingdom." or "Jesus, you got to get busy because you got this gift..." But God had not released him. Jesus waited 30 years to prepare for 3 years of ministry!!!! Wow!! We can't even get some of these modern day Christians to finish new members class before they are already talking about what God has "shown" or "told" them. God called Paul to the ministry on Damascus road, but immediately following it, God sent him to study and be subject to his leaders for 7 years. We must not think that just because we have the Zeal, we can step out and do ministry for the Kingdom. We have to be assigned to ministry and God will always confirm our callings and gifts though our pastors and churches. So be careful! God wants his order and will never defy it. That's why we cannot talk against the church. What good is it to win souls for Christ and have no where to send them for discipleship? Your first order of ministry is the local church. That's where you will receive your commission to go out and that's where you can continue to bring sinners in. Glorify God in your music, not the Hip Hop culture. Do not use secular music to reach the lost because it will not do the job. Only the Spirit of God can draw sinners to salvation. | ||||||||||||||
What is your source of Music!!!
The Corybantes (English pronunciation: /ˌkɒr.ɪˈbænt.iːz/, Ancient Greek: Κορύβαντες) were the armed and crested dancers who worshipped the Phrygian goddess Cybele with drumming and dancing. They are also called the Kurbantes in Phrygia, and Corybants in an older English transcription. The Kuretes were the nine dancers who venerate Rhea, the Cretan counterpart of Cybele, Mother of the Gods. A fragment from Strabo, book vii,[1] gives a sense of the roughly analogous character of these male confraternities, and the confusion rampant among those not initiated:
Many assert that the gods worshipped in Samothrace as well as the Kurbantes and the Korybantes and in like manner the Kouretes and the Idaean Daktyls are the same as the Kabeiroi, but as to the Kabeiroi they are unable to tell who they are"
These male dancers in armor, kept time to a drum and the rhythmic stamping of their feet. Dance, according to Greek thought, was one of the civilizing activities, like wine-making or music. The dance in armor (the "Pyrrhic dance" or Pyrriche [Πυρρίχη]) was a male coming-of-age initiation ritual linked to a warrior victory celebration. Both Jane Ellen Harrison and the French classicist Henri Jeanmaire[3] have shown that both the Kouretes (Κουρῆτες) and Cretan Zeus (called "the greatest kouros (κοῦρος)" in the Cretan hymn found in an inscription at Palaikastro)[4] were intimately connected with the transition of young men into manhood in Cretan cities.
The term "Pyrrhic Dance" in English is a corruption of the original Pyrríkhē or the Pyrríkhios Khorós ("Pyrrhichian Dance"). It has no relationship with the king Pyrrhus of Epirus, who invaded Italy in the 3rd century BC, and who gave his name to the Pyrrhic victory (a victory achieved at such cost so as to be tantamount to a defeat).
The Phrygian Korybantes were often confused by Greeks with other ecstatic male confraternities, such as the Idaean Dactyls or the Cretan Kouretes, spirit-youths (kouroi) who acted as guardians of the infant Zeus. In Hesiod's telling of Zeus's birth,[5] when Great Gaia came to Crete and hid the child Zeus in a "steep cave", beneath the secret places of the earth, on Mount Aigaion with its thick forests; there the Cretan Kouretes' ritual clashing spears and shields were interpreted by Hellenes as intended to drown out the infant god's cries, and prevent his discovery by his cannibal father Cronus. "This myth is Greek interpretation of mystifying Minoan ritual in an attempt to reconcile their Father Zeus with the Divine Child of Crete; the ritual itself we may never recover with clarity, but it is not impossible that a connection exists between the Kouretes' weapons at the cave and the dedicated weapons at Arkalochori", Emily Vermeule observed.[6] Among the offering recovered from the cave, the most spectacular are decorated bronze shields with patterns that draw upon north Syrian originals and a bronze gong on which a god and his attendants are shown in a distinctly Near Eastern style.[7]
Kouretes also presided over the infancy of Dionysus, another god who was born as a babe, and of Zagreus, a Cretan child of Zeus, or child-doublet of Zeus. The wild ecstasy of their cult can be compared to the female Maenads who followed Dionysus.
Ovid in Metamorphoses says they were born from rainwater, Ouranos fertilizing Gaia, which might connect them with the Pelasgian Hyades.
The scholar Jane Ellen Harrison wrote that besides being guardians, nurturers, and initiators of the infant Zeus, the Kouretes were primitive magicians and seers. She also wrote that they were metal workers and that metallurgy was considered an almost magical art.[8] There were several "tribes" of Korybantes, including the Cabeiri, the Korybantes Euboioi, the Korybantes Samothrakioi. Hoplodamos and his Gigantes were counted among Korybantes, and Titan Anytos was considered a Kourete.
Homer referred to select young men as kouretes, when Agamemnon instructs Odysseus to pick out kouretes, the bravest among the Achaeans" to bear gifts to Achilles.[9] The Greeks preserved a tradition down to Strabo's day, that the Kuretes of Aetolia and Acarnania in mainland Greece had been imported from Crete.[10Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Importance of Accepting Others
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.
He called his parents from San Francisco.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mined and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.
A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.
Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!!
There's a miracle called -Friendship- that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started. But you know the special lift It always brings and you realize that Friendship Is God's most precious gift!
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam.
He called his parents from San Francisco.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mined and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him.
A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.
Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are.
Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!!
There's a miracle called -Friendship- that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started. But you know the special lift It always brings and you realize that Friendship Is God's most precious gift!
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.
If You Never...
If you never felt pain,
Then how would you know that I'm a Healer?
If you never went through difficulties,
Then how would you know that I'm a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial,
Then how could you call yourself an over-comer?
If you never felt sadness,
Then how would you know that I'm a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake,
Then how would you know that I'm forgiving?
If you knew all,
Then how would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble,
Then how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken,
Then how would know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem,
Then how would you know that I can solve them?
If I gave you all things,
Then how would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you,
Then how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power,
Then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect,
Then what would you need Me for?
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